Work and opinions J. Philippe Rushton

1 work , opinions

1.1 genetic similarity theory
1.2 race , intelligence
1.3 application of r/k selection theory race
1.4 dimensional structure of personality
1.5 opinions

work , opinions
genetic similarity theory

early in career, rushton did research on altruism. theorized heritable component in altruism , developed genetic similarity theory, extension of w. d. hamilton s theory of kin selection. holds individuals tend more altruistic individuals genetically similar if not kin, , less altruistic, , outwardly hostile, individuals less genetically similar. rushton describes ethnic conflict , rivalry 1 of great themes of historical , contemporary society , , suggests may have roots in evolutionary impact on individuals groups giving preferential treatment genetically similar others . says makeup of gene pool [i.e., human population s total reservoir of alternative genes] causally affects probability of particular ideology being adopted .

a number of articles in 1989 issue of behavioral , brain sciences criticized theory. judith anderson said work based on statistically flawed evidence, john archer , others said rushton failed understand , misapplied theory of kin selection, judith economos said speculative , failed define concept of altruistic behavior in way can become manifest , failed show plausible mechanism members of species can detect altruism gene in other members of species, , steven gangestad criticized theory not being compelling in terms of attractiveness explanatory model, c.r. hallpike said rushton s theory failed take account many other traits, ranging age, sex, social , political group membership, observably more important in predicting altruistic behavior between non-kin genetic similarity, , john hartung criticized him failing conduct adequate control group study , ignoring contradictory evidence.

littlefield , rushton (1984) examined degree of bereavement among parents after death of child. found children perceived more physically similar parents grieved more intensely less similar children.

russell, wells, , rushton (1985) reanalyzed several previous studies on similarities between spouses , concluded there higher similarity on more heritable characteristics. rushton examined blood group genes , found sexually interacting couples had more similar blood group genes randomly paired individuals.

rushton , bons (2005) examined personality, attitude, , demographic characteristics similarity among different groups of people. monozygotic twins resembled 1 (r = .53) more dizygotic twins (r = .32), pairs of spouses (r = .32), , pairs of best friends (r = .20). monozygotic twins chose spouses , best friends more similar co-twins friends , spouses did dizygotic twins. authors said there substantial genetic contribution these effects in twins. similarity social partners higher on more heritable characteristics on less.

other researchers doing empirical research have found results compatible theory.

race , intelligence

rushton proponent of idea racial differences in iq partially related genetic inheritance. research areas includes brain size, effects of inbreeding depression on iq, , effects of admixture.

application of r/k selection theory race

rushton s book race, evolution, , behavior (1995) uses r/k selection theory explain how east asians consistently average high, blacks low, , whites in middle on evolutionary scale of characteristics indicative of nurturing behavior. first published theory in 1984. rushton argues east asians , descendants average larger brain size, greater intelligence, more sexual restraint, slower rates of maturation, , greater law abidingness , social organization europeans , descendants, average higher scores on these dimensions africans , descendants. theorizes r/k selection theory explains these differences.

rushton s application of r/k selection theory explain differences among racial groups has been criticised. 1 of many critics evolutionary biologist joseph l. graves, has done extensive testing of r/k selection theory species of drosophila flies. graves argues not r/k selection theory considered virtually useless when applied human life history evolution, rushton not apply theory correctly, , displays lack of understanding of evolutionary theory in general. graves says rushton misrepresented sources biological data gathered in support of hypothesis, , of social science data collected dubious means. other scholars have argued against rushton s hypothesis on basis concept of race not supported genetic evidence diversity of human populations, , research based on folk taxonomies. number of later studies rushton , other researchers have argued there empirical support theory, though these studies have been criticized.

psychologist david p. barash notes r- , k-selection may have validity when considering so-called demographic transition, whereby economic development characteristically leads reduced family size , other k traits. pan-human phenomenon, flexible, adaptive response changed environmental conditions ... rushton wields r- , k-selection procrustean bed, doing can make available data fit ... bad science , virulent racial prejudice drip pus every page of despicable book.

dimensional structure of personality

beginning in 2008, rushton researched structure of personality. on dozen papers, argued there general factor of personality, similar g factor of psychometrics.

opinions

in 2009 rushton spoke @ preserving western civilization conference in baltimore. organized michael h. hart stated purpose of addressing need defend america’s judeo-christian heritage , european identity immigrants, muslims, , african americans. anti-defamation league described conference attendees racist academics, conservative pundits , anti-immigrant activists .